Corset.



Ptented Dec. l8, I900. m. A. s. some".

CORSET (Appl ipqtion filed Apr. 23, 1900.)

No Model.)

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MINNIE AGNES SHERRER GOLDEN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CORSET.

s'rEc'iFIcATIoN formingpart of Letters'Patent No. 664,214, datedDecember 18, 1900.

Application filed April 3, 900- Serial o- 13,848. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MINNIE AGNES SHER- RER GOLDEN, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at New York, in the county and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corsets, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to corsets; and it has for its objects to providea simple and improved corset device which will effectively operate toimpart a good figure or form to the wearer and at-the same time notcompress the stomach or abdominal parts, which will consequently be mucheasier and more convenient in use than ordinary full corsets and at thesame time more efficient and serviceable than corset-waists, which willserve as an effective brace at the back, and which will furthermorepossess advantages in point of comfort, inexpensiveness, adaptability,and general efficiency.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a corset embodying myimprovements. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detailsectional view taken through one of the front bust-flaps. Fig. 4 is adetail sectional View taken on the line 00 00, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is adetail sectional view taken on the line 3 y, Fig. 2.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same numeralsof reference.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a back part which consists of atop portion, as at 2, adapted to extend transversely across the top ofthe back of the wearer between the shoulder-blades and over the same,and

i said back part also comprises a main or lower portion, as at 3,adapted to extend over the lower portion or small of the back of thewearer and across said portion, but not at the sides thereof. In itstransverse extension the top portion 2 of the back piece 1 is ofsufficient area to extend between the arms of the wearer, and thisportion 2 is provided with a set of parallel stays or stiffening-strips,as at 4, arranged longitudinally in a transverse or horizontalplane,such construction being adapted to properly compress the upperportion of the back of the user and draw in the shoulder-blades toimpart the proper form. Thelowerdownwardly-extendingportion 3 of theback piece 1 is of sufficient vertical area'to extend a short distancebelow the hip-line, as at 5, and of sufficient transverse area to coverthe whole of the lower portion of the back of the user; but it is notadapted to extend around the sides of the back beneath the arms. Saidportion 3 is provided with a series of parallel stays orstiffeningstrips 6, arranged longitudinally in a vertical plane, wherebythe proper compression to give the desired form is effected at the lowerportion of the back, and the lower ends of said stays 6 are preferablycurved outwardly, as represented at 7, to impart the proper backcurvature at the lower end of the corset.

From the side edges 8 of the lower portion 3 of the back 1, at a pointimmediately beneath the arms at each side of the corset, is provided aflexible side wing or extension, as at 9, which extends forwardly and isadapted to compress the sides of the body of the user at a point beneaththe arms, said extensions 9 connecting withshoulder-straps 10, whichproject forwardly frorn'the top ends of the upper portion 2 of the back1, by means of which construction the said extensions 9 and theshoulder-straps 10 conjointly form armholes 11. The said extensions 9terminate at a point some distance above the lower end portion of thepart 3 of the body 1.

The flexible side flaps 9 and the flexible shoulder or top flaps 10 areconjointly extended forwardly to form flexible front bustfiaps 12,respectively at each side of the corset, which flexible bust-flaps areof a limited vertical extent or area, so that their lower edges 13terminate at a point above the stomach-cavity of the wearer, said loweredges 13 being cut bias or extending diagonally downwardly and outwardlyto their connection at the lower edge 14 of the side extensions 9 withthe side edges of the stayed lower portion 3 of the back 1. The flexiblebust-flaps 12 are respectively provided with convex pockets, as at 15,which provide bust-forms and which may be suitably stayed by transversebowed or convex stays or stiffening-strips, as at 16,

or may be flexible throughout their area, as desired or preferred. Thebust-forms 15, carried by the flexible bust-flaps 12, are designed tofirmly sustain the breast and retain it in proper position without theuncomfortable degree of compression which is usually experienced incorsets which are inflexible or stayed in the breast portion. The frontedges 17 of the bust-flaps 12 are respectively provided with fasteningmeans by which they are connected together, said fastening means beingpreferably adjustable, so that the degree of compression across thebreast will be comfortably regulated.- I prefer to employ a fasteningmeans which consists of a series of buttons 18 on one of the flaps l2and a series of tapes or tongues 19, projecting from the edge 17 of theother flap 12 and provided with a plurality of buttonholes 20, arrangedon alongitudinal plane and adapted to engage the buttons 1.8.

It will be noted that in the improved construction and arrangement asabove set forth the only stiff and fully-stayed portion of the corset isat the back, the bust-flap portion being flexible and the generalcontour and arrangement being that there is no pressure whatever uponthe stomach-cavity, thus insuring ease and comfort and at the same timeimparting a good form or figure to the wearer. In this connection itwill be noted that the sides of the lower portion 3 of the body 1 at thesmall of the back project sufficiently in a lateral manner to impart thefull hip line or form at the sides.

The lower portion 3 of the body 1 is sustained and braced by anabdominal band or portion which extends from the side edges of the bodyportion 3 and projects across the front of the corset at a pointconsiderably beneath the bust portion. Said abdominal band preferablycomprises side portions 21, which are respectively connected to the sideedges of the back portion 3, preferably at a point just beneath the sideextension 9 and which are above the outwardly-curved lower end of theportion 3, so that said members 21 will extend forward over the hips.The members 21 preferably embody an elastic section, as at 22, arrangedintermediately of the ends, and their outer portions are preferablywidened, as at 23. Said elastic portion 22 is preferably arranged sothat it will assume position just at the front portion of the hips. Thefront edges 23 of the members 21 are provided with suitablefasteningdevices by which said edges may be connected together in secureposition, which fastening devices may consist of a series of buttons 24upon one of the members 21, which are adapted to be engaged by a seriesof hook devices 25 upon the other member 21. The widened outer portion23 of the members 21, in conjunction with the elastic section in saidmembers 21, is

adapted to provide an abdominal supportingband, as will be readilyunderstood.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understoodby thoseskilled in the art to which it appertains and by reference tothe foregoing description and explanation. The device forms a simple andcomfortable corset, which will operate to impart a good form or figureto the wearer and which will at the same time obviate the disadvantageand discomfort usually experienced in the use of ordinary stayed corsetsor corset devices which cover and compress the full stomach andabdominal portion.

It is obvious that variations and modifications in the details ofconstruction and ar ran gement may be resorted to without departing fromthe spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. For instance, inlieu of the members 21, with their elastic sections, a simple waiststrip or band may be employed and have its meeting edges suitablyfastened together. I therefore reserve the right to all such variationsand modifications in the construction and arrangement as properly fallwithin the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patcut- 1. An improved corset of the class described, comprisinga body portion consisting of a back the top part of which is stayedtransversely or horizontally and the lower part of which is stayedvertically or at right angles to said top part, flexible extensions orflaps projecting laterally from the side edges of said back and forminga bust portion and provided with breast-pockets, said side extensionscomprising shoulder-straps and forming armholes, means for connectingthe front edges of said side extensions or flaps, and an abdominal bandor belt extending from the side edges of the lower portion of the backand adapted to project across the abdomen, substantially and for thepurpose set forth.

2. An improved corset of the class described, comprising a bodyconsisting of a back portion which is stayed transversely orhorizontally at its upper part and stayed in its lower part verticallyor at right angles to its upper part, said back carrying flexible flapsor extensions adapted to project across the bust.

3. An improved corset of the class described, comprising a sideless backportion adapted in its area to cover the shoulder and lower portion ofthe back, a flexible bust portion connected with the side edges of theback portion and embodying shoulder-straps, and a flexible supplementalabdominal band or strap projecting from the side edges of the lowerportion of the back and arranged to extend across the abdomen, the topportion of the back portion being stayed transversely In testimonywhereof I have signed my 16 and the lower part of the back portion beingname in the presence of the subscribing witstayed longitudinally atright angles to the staying of said top portion, whereby the backportion is maintained in predetermined rigidity and between the bustportion and. the abdominal band the corset is entirely open at the sidesand front, substantially as and for the purpose set forth;

nesses.

MINNIE AGNES SHERRER GOLDEN;

Witnesses:

J. R. LITTELL, MATHILDE C. MATTES'.

